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Thermo-behavioural responses to orally applied l-menthol exhibit sex-specific differences during exercise in a hot environment
,
Tom Clifford,
Owen Jeffries
Physiology & Behavior, Volume: 229, Start page: 113250
Swansea University Author:
Mark Waldron
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113250
Abstract
AimsThis study investigated the efficacy of L-menthol mouth-rinsing on thermal sensation and perceived effort in females and males, using a fixed-rating of perceived exertion (RPE) exercise protocol in a hot environment.MethodsTwenty-two participants (eleven females, eleven males) completed two tria...
| Published in: | Physiology & Behavior |
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| ISSN: | 0031-9384 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2021
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55692 |
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| Abstract: |
AimsThis study investigated the efficacy of L-menthol mouth-rinsing on thermal sensation and perceived effort in females and males, using a fixed-rating of perceived exertion (RPE) exercise protocol in a hot environment.MethodsTwenty-two participants (eleven females, eleven males) completed two trials using a fixed-RPE protocol at an exercise intensity between ‘hard’ and ‘very hard’, equating to 16 on the RPE scale at ∼35°C. Participants adjusted power output to maintain RPE-16. In a randomised, double-blind, crossover design, L-menthol or a control mouthwash was administered at an orally neutral temperature (∼32 °C) prior to exercise and at 10 min intervals thereafter. Measures of mechanical power output, core temperature, heart rate, perception of thermal sensation and thermal comfort, and whole-body sweat loss are reported.ResultsThermal sensation was lowered by L-menthol in both sexes (P < 0.05), however during exercise this was only maintained for 40% of the trial duration in females. Thermal comfort did not differ between conditions (P > 0.05). No differences in exercise duration were observed compared to control, despite a ∼4 % and ∼6 % increase in male and females respectively. Power output increased by ∼6.5 % males (P = 0.039) with no difference in females ∼2.2% (P = 0.475), compared to control. Core temperature, heart rate and whole-body sweat loss was not different between condition or sex.ConclusionsL-menthol lowered perceptual measures of thermal sensation in females, but did not attenuate a greater rate of rise in thermal sensitivity when exercising in a hot environment, compared to males. Males appeared to adopt a higher risk strategy by increasing power output following L-menthol administration in contrast to a more conservative pacing strategy in females. Therefore, there appear to be sex-specific differences in L-menthol's non-thermal cooling properties and subsequent effects on thermo-behavioural adjustments in work-load when exercising in a hot environment. |
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| Keywords: |
Thermoregulation, Perception, Menthol, Heat, Female, Gender |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Start Page: |
113250 |